Ridley ran and he ran. He snuck aboard a steamship and travelled down the Mississippi River. Down down down he went. Not knowing when or where to stop. His dreams were cursed with horrific images and sounds. Shadow like faces reaching out to him in desperation, loud bangs and booms of battle. Many nights would go by without getting much sleep. He didn’t want to dream. His only comfort came from the bottle in his hand as he ran.

He landed himself in a port in Louisiana A name he once heard of but ignored. He stumbled around and found himself a seat at a pub. He didn’t have much on him in terms of money. He sold whatever buttons, belts, pouches, ammo and articles of clothing he carried with him on that day he started his journey. All that he had left was his Union Army belt buckle. He pulled it out of his pocket and glared at it. The letters U S shined in the light as he placed it on the table. His face was drained and his eyes were ghastly. A waiter approached him. Ridley slide the belt buckle towards the man and muttered, “Whiskey.” The man cautiously looked at the belt buckle but accepted it and it wasn’t long before Ridley had his fingers gript tight around another bottle.

He didn’t think about his family back in New York. He just wanted to slip away into a deep sleep and never wake up.

But then suddenly he dropped his bottle. Not a whole lot of things can make just any man drop his bottle of fine Lousianna whiskey easily. Unless they were clobbered in the back of the head. Which is exactly what happened to Ridley. He didn’t see the other men coming for him. He just sat there wallowing in misery and whiskey. Then whack. He slumped over on the table. Bottle breaks on the ground. The men hosited him up and carried him away.

The next thing he realized was that the earth around him was swaying back and forth with a gentle rock to it. At first he thought, “I’m really hungover.” But then he realized he couldn't move his arms or legs. He blinked his eyes open and was greeted with the brightness of the sun. He heard voices all around him and the sound of waves. Then, as he was attempting to adjust his eyes to the brightness, a big man came by and threw cold slimy water on his face. He let out a gasp and shook the water from his face.

“I see you’re finally awake.” The man said in a deep voice. Ridley focused on the man. He was big, full of muscle and stood as tall as he was. He looked down and soon realized why he could move his arms or legs. He was tied up to the mast of a ship. The man turned around and walked away.

“Captain gonna be wanting to speak with you.” He said as he walked away. Ridley looked around some more and realized he was on a ship in the middle of the ocean. Soon a figure dressed in a maroon coat with a brown wide brim hat decorated with colorful feathers, approached him. She had long orange hair and a wicked smile.

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“Good morning.” She said in a melodic tone. “I’m sure you are wondering why you are here and not in a saloon somewhere. Am I correct?”

Ridley stumbled with his words for a moment. But he cocked his head back and gave her a grin.

“Of course. But, captain, if you wanted to get my attention you could have just sent a letter. You are certainly very lovely but as I’m seeing everything here and now I must decline your courtship.” Ridley said as he was trying to hold back a chuckle. A scowl burst from the face of some of the men around him. Ridley just then recalled that he had a bad habit of letting his mouth run when he was nervous. But the captain only smiled at him. She let out what seemed like a genuine laugh.

“This one is perfect.” She said. “Nerves of steel and wit. I like that.” She said as she folded her arms.

“Dumb as rocks.” Another man called out.

“Even better.” The woman said in a sly voice. Ridley’s smile did not falter.

“Alright,” The woman started. “Let’s say I know you deserted the Union Army. And that if you were caught you’d be executed. How’s that?”

The smile wiped away from Ridley’s face very quickly after hearing those words. Fear slowly made its way up his spine. The men around him grinned.

“I am glad that you fully understand your situation. Now understand ours.” The woman said. “I am Captain Reed of the Undertaker. My crew and I are...what you would call venture capitalists sailing with letters of marque from the United States Government.”

“You’re pirates.” Ridley scoffed. “Like I would ever willing work for your type.” He attempted to bring back that confident look on his face but failed. Captain Reed only smiled.

“Privateers, more like. And we have a task for you. Perform for us a simple task and we can sail you to any port on the east coast without the hassle of the blockage. Don’t take our offer and we’ll sell you off to the first Union ship we come across.” Captain Reed said as she rested her hands on her hips. Ridley didn’t say anything. He looked away from Captain Reed and the others.

“Captain,” One man said. “He’s not gonna take the deal.” Ridley looked back up, he was scared. Fear had overwhelmed him. He couldn't think straight. Captain Reed let out a sigh.

“Isn’t there somewhere else you’d like to be besides a pub in Louisiana? Friends? Or family somewhere?” Captain Reed suggested in a compassionate tone. “I know you’ve seen some horrors. We all have. We do what we can to survive. But you can’t keep on running from your troubles.” Captain Reed said as she gently placed her hand on Ridley’s shoulder. Ridley looked back up at the Captain and stared into her eyes with realization. “There has to be someone you want to see.”

“Yeah. There is someone. Someone I made a promise to.” Ridley said as he let out a sigh and lowered his head in shame. It has been awhile since he thought about home and the promise he made to his sister. His fear was suddenly replaced with guilt and shame and he started to feel it weighing down on him. But now he was presented with an opportunity to make things right to fulfill that promise.

“What do I have to do?” Ridley asked. The crew around him grinned like hungry sharks.